UL Classification: What Is It & Why Is It Important?

What is UL Classification?

UL (Underwriters Laboratories) is an independent, product safety testing and certification organisation, founded in 1894. Over the last century, Underwriters Laboratories has become the world’s best known independent product safety certification organisation.

Over 19,000 types of products, components and materials systems are now rigorously evaluated each year and with 20 billion UL marks appearing on 66,000 manufacturers’ products, more and more consumers are looking for products displaying this mark. UL marks are incredibly beneficial to you as it shows that we, the manufacturer are meeting the standardised minimum requirements for safe operation and have invested in increased product safety.

Advantages of UL Classification

When you see UL approval you can be confident in the products safety – there is a decreased risk when using UL approval products compared to those without. Utilising Underwriters Laboratories standards aids manufacturers to stand out from competitors, as all possible measures have been taken to meet and/or exceed industry standards. UL classification can verify this and allows manufacturers to benefit from a greater reputation.

How we Achieved UL 94 Classification

Many Robnor ResinLab products are certified to UL 94, the standard for safety of plastic materials for parts in devices and appliances testings. This plastics flammability standard determines the material’s tendency to either extinguish or spread the flame once the specimen has been ignited.

Plastic material testing is undertaken with either a Horizontal Burn (HB) test or Vertical Burn (VB) test, determined by the materials application requirements. During all tests the materials are subject to a flame source for a set duration of time.

Horizontal Burning (HB Test)
The HB test evaluates the burning rate of a specimen in mm/min whilst considering its thickness. To gain certification the material must be tested from a horizontal orientation, and found to burn at a rate less than the specified maximum rate. The burning rate must be less than 76 mm/min for a thickness less than 3mm.

Vertical Burning
In this test, samples with the same dimensions and flame height as used for horizontal burning tests are tested but in a vertical manner. Testers look out for the formation of
holes and dripping of material and Afterglow and burning times are recorded.

UL 94 Classifications
From lowest (least flame-retardant) to highest (most flame retardant):
– HB: Slow burning on a horizontal specimen: burning rate < 76 mm/min for thickness <3 mm or burning stops before 100 mm.
– V-2: Burning stops within 30 seconds on a vertical specimen; drips of flaming particles are allowed.
– V-1: Burning stops within 30 seconds on a vertical specimen; drips of particles allowed as long as they are not inflamed.
– V-0: Burning stops within 10 seconds on a vertical specimen; drips of particles allowed.
– 5VB: Burning stops within 60 seconds on a vertical specimen; no drips allowed; plague
specimens may develop a hole.
– 5VA: Burning stops within 60 seconds on a vertical specimen; no drips allowed; plaque specimens may not develop a hole.

Featured UL 94 Robnor ResinLab Products

Enquire about our UL 94 products by getting in touch below.